Switch-operating mechanism.



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*WETNESSES Patented M1126, 1915 3 SEEETSfSHEET l.

ENVENTQR G. BURTON.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM,

APPLICATION FILED SE-P125, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. BURTON.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

.APPLIOATIOH FILED SEPT. 25, 1914.-

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

of Fig. 1.

TEES T QFF BEQ CAiEtiOLL BURTON, 0F JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANEA.

SWITGH-QPERATING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J $5,

Application filed September 25, 19,14 Serial No. $3,521

My invention relates to the construction of the tongue operating mechanism oi switches, and while not restricted to such use, more particularly relates to the tongue operating mechanism of switches used as part of the'equipment of street railways.

One object of my invention is to provide .a switch operating mechanism of improved construction and having novel means whereby the switch tongue is moved into and held in switching position on the switch body.

Another object of my invention is to pro-- vide a switch operating mechanism having novel means for connecting the switch tongue and tongue holding mechanism whereby the swinging movements of the tongue in the recess of the switch body are facilitated.

A further object of the invention is to pro ide, a switch operating mechanism of novel construction and adapted for use in moving and holding the switch tongue against either or both sides of the tongue recess within the switch body, as in a double throw switch, and in moving and holding the switch tongue against one side only of the tongue recess, as in a single throw switch. A still further object of my invention is to provide a switch operating mechanism having the novel construction and arrange ment of parts more fully described herein after and specifically covered in the appended claims.

Referring now to the part of this specification, Figure l is a plan showing a switch operatingmechanism constructed and arranged and applied for use on a switch structure in accordance with my invention. Fig.2 is a transverse sectional elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, the section being taken on the line 11-11 Fig. 3 is an irregular section, takenon the, line III-III of Fig. 1. Fig. 4; is a plan showing the manner of adjusting the spring links and the reach rod to transform the switch into a single throw switch in which the tongue is always held drawings forming -niy invention, adanted for against one side of the tongue recess. Fig. 5 is a plan, and Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing a. modified, and the preferred, con struction of the notched ends of the sp iinks forming part of my improved swi.

3h operating mechanism.

In te accompanying drawings, the numeral 2 designates the switcirbody of a tongue switch of a type adapted for use on street railways. The switch body is provided in its upper -I"ace"with longitudinal recess 3 in which the switch tongue 4 is pivotally mounted or positioned. The tor e 4 is pivoted at its eel on one end, in die recess 8, and the switch point on the opposite end of thetongue is arranged to sidewise from one side "to recess 3 against the sides 5 cess 3.

The switch operat I J:- IJ ans 6 or remec' anisni forming use with any of the numerous known switch corn structions, the switch is not fully iliust.

or described in detail.

- Secured on one side of the s by m ans of the bolts '1' is a hollow metal host. or casin 8 open top side which norn removable lid or cover 8 is provided, on ti end and fir flanges 10 v. the cover reference casing is removed,

Projectin surface or r g I bottom o'f tho recess 3 in the switch been 2, is an integral lug 12 having a tran rse opening therein in which one end of or idjustahle reach rod 13 is fastened by a n lei and lock nut 15. The opposite end of the rod 13 is upset or enlarged in diameter and the thimhle or sleeve 16 positioned 01"? the rod 13 forms a to hold the rod 13 lug 12 when the nuts Li and 15 are screwed tightly in place. The length of the thimble or sleeve 16, may be varied to suit the dimensions of various switches to which my improved switch operating mechanism is applicable and in changin the switch to a single or double throw switch.

he enl i and of the reach rod separator which serves an the 3 on the reduced portion rigidly in position on the 13 is provided with ends 22 and 23 de ning the length of the groove. It is to be noted that the groove 21 is-of a length which permits of a free or relative sliding movement of the notched ends of the link sections 26 in the groove 21, this construction forming an important part of my invention, One end of the enlargement 20 is made polygonal in cross section, (hexagonal, as shown), sowthat a wrench may be employed irradjusting the rod extension 17 on the rod 13 to vary the overall length of the switch rod.

On the inner surface of each end of the box or casing 8 is a projection 24 having a depression 24 therein and pivotally secured in each of these depressions is the hemispherical outer end of a sectional spring link by which the switch tongue 41 is yieldingly held against either of the opposite sides 5 and 6 of the recess 3, depending upon the position into which the switch tongue is placed or moved and the manner in which the switch operating mechanism isl adjusted. R1, ach spring link is made in two sections and 26, an each section is provided with fafl'fl'ange 27 against which one end of a heliea licompression spring 28 engages when the sp'i'ng linksiareassembled in operative posi- ,tion. An annular sleeve or thimble 29 ex tends lengthwise within the springs 28 and the adjoining or abutting cylindrical ends of the sections 25 and 26 of each spring link are movably seated within the sleeve 29. The cylindrical ends between the flanges 27 are of a length which, when the springs 28 are compressed, permits of arelative approach or movement of the sections 25 and 26 and decreases the overall length of the spring links, asis done in shifting the position of the switch tongue 1 in the recess '3 in the operation of theswitch. The inner ends or the ends of the sections 26 of the spring links ,which engage the ends 22 and 23 of the groove 21 in the enlarged end 20 of the rod extension 17 are notched, the notches having surfaces which embrace or encircle the surface of the circumferentialgroovein the enlargement 20. The notches in the one end 0 of the link section 26 is be made of such a depth so that the surf ces of the notches will bear against the bottom surface of the groove 21, in the manner shown in Fig. 1 but preferably the ends 26 of the sections are curved and made of alength. by which the abutting ends of the opposite link sections 26 are in engagement as shown in Fig. 4.

NVith the construction of Fig. 1 the spring links, when they reach the dead point or a position in which their axial centers are in alinement with a line extending through the recesses 24, the surfaces of the notches will not be'in engagement with the grooved ortion 21 of the rod extension 17, encircle by the notched ends of the links.

As has been stated, my improved switch tongue operating mechanism is a plicable for use on single throw switches ike that shown in Fig. 4;, as well as double throw switches constructed as shown in Fig. 1. By double throw switch is meant a switch in which the tongue is yieldingly held by the spring links against each side of the recess for the tongue in the switch body. By single throw switch is meant a switch in which the tongue is yieldingly held against only one of the two sides of the tongue recess, to

which position it automatically returns switch iron or by the wheel flange of a car passing over the switch.

When arranged as shown in Fig. 4, which is done by adjusting the reach rod extension 17 on the switch rod 13, and in some cases by lengthening or shortening the sleeve 16 on the reduced portion of the rod 13, the switch tongue 4 swings in the recess 3 as before, but in this arrangement the reach rod is adjusted so that the abutting ends 26 of the spring links are not moved beyond the dead point or a point on a line extended through the pivotal centers of the pivoted ends of the sections 25 of the spring links. In this way the switch tongue 4 will always move into engagement and be held in contact with the same one side of the recess 3 in the switch body 2. The tongue operating mechanism is adapted for use on either a right or left hand single throw switch by adjustment of the reach rod 13.

Ordinarily the switch tongue 1 is shifted in the slot 3 of the switch body by a switch iron, although the tongue may be connected to and actuated by a suitable lever mechanism, of any approved construction. In such case the operating lever may be connected to the connectin rod extension 17 or be directly connected to the switch a tongue.

recess 3, as shown in Fig. 1,the switch tongue 4 is moved manually, preferably with a switch iron, from one side to the other of the recess in the switch body. \Vith the tongue positioned as shown in the drawings .the.tongue a is adapted to be moved from ally shortened in length until right to left in Figs. 1 and 2. When the switch tongue 4 is moved from the position shown to a position at the opposite side of the recess 3, the reach rod 13 is moved from right to left also, and at the beginning of its movement the springs 28 on the spring links are compressed until the spring links, which when in holding position extend lengthwise in a vertical plane at an angle to a line through the pivoted outer ends of the spring links, are in axial alinement. IVhen the position of the switch tongue 4 is shifted from one side to the other of the recess 3 the spring links, as they swing, are graduthey reach a central position in their swinging move- Inent. When in this central position their I .ment with the opposite end of the axial centers are in alinement and coincident with a line extending in a vertical plane through the recesses 24* in the projections 24 on the inner surfaces of the ends of the casing or box 8. .Upon continuing the movement of the switch tongue 4, the notched ends of the spring links in engagement with the groove 21 will be moved beyond the dead point, which is on a line extending through the recesses in the prOJections 24. When this occurs the springs 28 act to extend or lengthen the spring lever sections 26 and cause the notched ends in engagementwith the groove 21 in the reach rod to slide in the groove until in engagegroove. The springs 28 will then exert sufficient force to move the switch rod and switch tongue 4 through the balance of the swinging movement of the tongue, and the sliding movement of the notched ends of the sections 26 in the groove 21 will effectually prevent the spring lever sticking or binding on the reach rod when on the dead point, with the tongue in a central position or position midway in the swinging mo ement of the tongue. The tongue 4 then engages the left hand side 6 of therecess 3, and the springs 28 will be in the relative angular position shown in dotted-lines inFig. 1 and will exert a force which yieldingly holds the switch tongue in its shifted position. lVhen it, is desired to again shift the position of the switch tongue, the above described opera tions are repeated. In this case the rod 17 [and spring links-will be moved from left to right, in such movement the spring links being moved from the dotted position shown in Fig.1 until again in the position shown byfull lines in Fig.1, and when in this position,. yieldingly holding the switch tongueagainst the side 5 of the recess 3.

In the operation of a single throw switch equipped with my improved mechanism, the switch tongue 4 is moved in the recess '3 in the same manner as has been described. In this arrangement of the mechanism the the tongue does not move the spring links suiliciently to bring the notched ends of the lever sections 26 beyond the dead point or a point on a line extending through the pivotal connections of the spring link sections 25 with the ends of the box 8, so that when released the tongue 4 will return to the side of the recess 8 from which it is moved.

The advantages apparent .to those skilled in the art. The apparatus is simple, is easily and cheaply constructed, and is readily kept in repair.' By the use of my improved spring switch box, the tongue of the switch is yieldingly held in each of its two operative positions by the spring links forming part of my improved spring switch box, and the movement of the switch tongue is assisted and furthered by the action of the spring links in the tongue shifting operations.

By a simple adjustment of the parts of the switch tongue operat ng mechanism the or vice verse. I

Modifications in theiconstruction and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a switch, a pivoted tongue, a spring link for positioning the switch tongue on the switch, and a reach rod operatively connecting the spring link with the switch tongue, said spring link being movable with and relatively to said reach rod.

n a-switch, a pivoted tongue, a spring link for positioning the switch tongue on the switch, a reach rod operatively connecting the spring link with the switch tongue, said spring link being movable with and rela tively to said reach rod, and stops on said reach rod to limit the movement of the spring link on the reach rod.

n a switch, a pivoted tongue, a spring link for positioning the switch tongue on switch, and a lengthwise adjustable reach rod.

4. in a switch, a pivoted tongue, a spring link for positioning the switch tongue on the switch, a reach rod operatively connecting the spring link with the switch tongue, said spring link having a recessed end embracing said reach rod and being movable with and relatively to said reach rod.

5. In a switch, a pivoted tongue having a reach rod secured thereto, a box having oppositely extending swinging spring links pivotally mounted therein, said links having forked ends arranged to move with and relatively to the reach rod in operating the switch.

of my invention will bev rod having an enlarged,

6. In a switch, a pivoted tongue having a reach rod secured thereto, a box having oppositely extending swinging spring links pivotally mounted therein, said links having forked ends arranged to move with and re atively to the reach rod, and means on the reach rod engaged by said forkedends of the spring links to said links on. the rod and yieldingly hold the switch tongue in operative position.

7. In'a switch, a pivoted tongue having a reach rod secured thereto, a box having oppositely extending swinging spring links pivotally mounted therein, said links having forked ends arranged to move with and relatively to the reach rod means on the forked ends of said spring links to hold the links out of contact with the reach rod in the rel ative movement thereof, and means on the switch rod to limit the relative movement of the spring links on the reach rod.

8. In a switch, reach rod secured thereto, and a box havin oppositely extending swinging spring lin is pivotally mounted therein, said reach ciretnnferentially grooved end and one end of said spring links being forked, with the forked ends thereof arranged to encircle the reach rod and move'in said groove-in moving and yieldingly holding the switch tongue connected to the reach rod in operative position. 4 v

9. In a switch, a pivoted tongue having a reachrod secured thereto, 55: box having oppositely extending gwingin g spring links pivotally mounted therein, said reach rod having an enlarged grooved end and one end of said-spring links being forked, with the forked ends thereof arranged to encircle the reach rod and move in said groove in,- moving and yieldingly holding the switch tongue con-- nected to the reach rod in operative position, the forked ends of said links encircling the grooved enlargement projecting into holding engagement with each other to prevent contact of the bottom of said groove with the forked ends of said levers.

10. In a switch, a pivoted tongue having a reach rod secured thereto, a box having a swinging spring link pivotally mounted therein, said spring link having one end arranged to engage with. and move on the reach rod, and stops on the switch rod'engaged by said end of the spring link for limiting the movement of the spring link on the reach rod andw-to move and yieldingly hold the switch tongue in operative position.

-11. In a switch, a pivoted tongue having a lengthwise adjustable reach rod secured limit the movement of a pivoted tongue having a circumfcrentially the sections are thereto, a box having a swinging spring link pivotally mounted therein, said link having a forked end arranged to engage with and move on the switch rod, and stops on the reach rod engaged by said end of the spring link to limit the movement of said link and yieldingly hold the switch tongue in operative position.

12. In a switch, a pivoted a reach rod secured thereto, and a box having a spring link pivotally mounted therein, said reach rod having an enlarged circumferentially grooved end, and one end of said spring link being forked and arranged to embrace the reach rod and to move in said groove in moving and yieldingLy holding the switch tongue connected to 'the reach rod in each of a plurality of operative positions.

13. In a switch, a pivoted tongue having a reach rod secured thereto a box having a swinging spring link pivotally mounted therein, said spring link comprising relatively movable flanged sections, a sleeve in which the adjacent ends of the sections are telescoped and a helical spring on the sleeve with its ends in engagement with the flanges on said link sections, said spring link having one end arranged to move on the reach rod, and stops on the reach rod engaged by said end of the spring link to limit the movement thereof on the switch rod and yieldingly hold the switch tongue in operative position.

14. In a switch, a pivoted tongue having a reach rod secured thereto, a box having oppositely extending swinging spring links pivot-ally mounted therein, said spring links comprising relatively movable flanged sec tions, a sleeve in which the adjacent ends of tongue having spring 'on the sleeve with its ends in engagement with the flanges on said link sections, said spring links havi'ng' forked ad joining ends arranged to move on the reach rod, and stops on the reach rodengaged bysaid forked ends of the spring links to, limit the movement thereof on the switch rod and yieldingly hold the switch tongue in operative position and the forked ends extending into holding engagement with each other to prevent contact between the forked ends of the spring links and the bottom of the groove in the enlarged end of the reach rod. 4

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand. I

CARROLL BURTON.

\Vitnesses:

W. Mun. 'BROWN, H. IV. SMITH.

telescoped and a helical 

